Thyroid: Eyelid & Orbital Anatomy

Our eyes are probably {the} most important vital structures we have in our body. They discovered on {the} surface by a thin layer of skin and soft tissue called {the} eyelids. The eyelids serve multiple purposes including protecting {the} eyeball from injury, controlling {the} amount of light that enters {the} eye and also constantly lubricating {the} eyeball with tears secreted by {the} lacrimal gland during blinking. All these functions together help maintain {the} structural integrity of {the} eyeball and protect them from external influences.

From an anatomical point of view, {the} eyelid consists primarily of skin, underlying soft tissue also called a subcutaneous tissue and a thin layer of muscle called {the} orbicularis oculi. Under this muscle are other issues that divide {the} area into different planes. These are called septum and include {the} fibrous orbital septum and tarsi. In addition to this, in order for {the} eyelids to open are lid retractors that help assist blinking. Finally, there also exists a small amount of fat tissue as well. The eyeball is covered by a thin layer of tissue called {the} conjunctiva.

Anatomy of {the} eyelid

The description above only offers a superficial overview of {the} anatomy of {the} eyelid. If one were to look at {the} eyelid in a more detailed manner, a sagittal section taken across {the} eyelid will offer a clear view of {the} various structures that form it. Of course, it must be borne in mind that {the} structures that are visualised depend on {the} plane at which {the} sections are taken.

As mentioned above, {the} tissues can be divided into planes by structures called {the} septum. The orbital septum differentiates {the} orbital tissue from {the} lid. Behind {the} septum are a number of different other structures, a knowledge of which is essential if surgery is to be performed. In particular, it is essential to identify {the} anterior and posterior lamellae. In essence, {the} anterior lamella consists of {the} skin and {the} orbicularis oculi muscle while {the} posterior lamella consists of {the} conjunctiva and {the} tarsus.

Let's take a look at {the} structures of {the} eyelid in a bit more detail.